Academics
There’s always something new going on at Penn’s four undergraduate schools and 12 graduate schools. Look here for information on upcoming academic initiatives, new classes and research conducted by professors and students.
Penn partners with research institutions on environmental humanities research program
The collaboration is dedicated to generating discussion and research on environmental justice, the climate crisis, and public engagement.
Penn ranks No. 13 in U.S. News and World Report's 2022 ranking of Best Global Universities
Among the Ivy League, Penn ranked in the middle of the pack, with Harvard ranked No. 1, Columbia ranked No. 6, and Yale ranked No. 12.
Over 7,000 students risk being barred from classes due to COVID-19 testing noncompliance
Students who have not received a COVID-19 test since Oct. 19 are in danger of receiving red passes and have until Oct. 30 to get tested.
‘Falling through the cracks:’ Students with disabilities allege poor support from Weingarten
Students who receive testing accommodations are frustrated by an alleged lack of communication and organization from Penn’s Weingarten Learning Resources Center and Disability Services as they have transitioned to in-person exams.
Students in the College can submit anonymous reports about issues in their courses
One of the most commonly reported issues is professors who aren’t accommodating students who must miss in-person classes due to health reasons.
Annenberg study finds that vaccine mandates likely promote higher vaccination rates
The findings from the Annenberg researchers indicate that mandates work to improve vaccination rates among Americans.
Penn Medicine students start podcast to connect with FGLI students in medical field
The podcast, called “Med Legs," currently has eight episodes including topics like applying and interviewing for medical school to navigating academics as a FGLI student.
Students adapt study strategies in response to return of in-person exams
Both first years and sophomores are taking their first set of in-person midterms this semester, as sophomores took their exams online last year.
Here are the spring 2022 courses that double count
Advance course registration for spring 2022 opens Nov. 1 and closes Nov. 14.
Penn Libraries webinar traces conspiracy theory evolution from early France to modern America
The event, “Conspiracy Theory and Political Culture, Past and Present,” covered topics ranging from the use of social media as a means to spread conspiracy theories, to the future prevalence of conspiracy theories in American political culture.
Disabilities Services testing accommodation center closure inconveniences students
Students said they did not receive proper accommodations when the center, housed in Biotech Commons, closed for reconstruction.
Weingarten receives $2.6 million donation for new testing center and academic support
The donation will contribute to a new testing location scheduled to open in the fall of 2022 for students who need accommodations.
Two Penn Medicine professors elected to National Academy of Medicine
Ritchie and Tishkoff are among the 100 new members that were elected to join the academy’s most diverse class of new members, composed of around 50% women and 50% racial minorities.
Penn extends Weitzman dean's contract through 2025
Steiner first began his tenure as dean on July 1, 2016.
Calculus courses’ continued use of video instruction draws student pushback
Students must watch lectures on their own time and work through practice problems in class — a practice that began in fall 2020, when classes were taught entirely online.
SCUE launches website to prepare students for MATH 114 following reports of difficulty
The project reviews core concepts and prerequisite knowledge so that students can enter MATH 114: Calculus, Part II with more confidence regardless of their previous calculus experience.
Director of prestigious Yale program resigns due to donor influence over academics
The program director said that Yale allowed donors to exert inappropriate influence on the program’s curriculum by agreeing to the creation of a predominantly conservative advisory board.
Path@Penn will replace Penn InTouch in time for summer and fall 2022 course registration
Path@Penn is set to contain a number of improvements to the outdated Penn InTouch system, including a cleaner interface, mobile device compatibility, and the ability to swap courses instead of adding and dropping courses.
Asian American Studies Program adds faculty, co-director after fears for program’s survival
Under Asian American Studies professor Fariha Khan's co-directorship, the ASAM program will offer more courses, research and internship opportunities, and opportunities for collaboration and engagement with Asian American community organizations.